70 C3 control arm paint (brand suggestion)

[Travis Williamson]

Im getting ready to paint my control arms on my 70 C3. I know they are to be semi-gloss, but Ive been searching around to find out what type/brand paint to use.

Ive been looking at my eastwood catalog and see the underhood black spray paint.

But what about other brands of semi-gloss that are available at local HW stores and auto part stores? Like Krylon? or even Plasti-Kote?

Any suggestions on what to use and what not to use?

Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: 70 C3 control arm paint (brand suggestion)

Travis------

There are about as many different semi-gloss black paints out there as there are brands. Semi-gloss black is not a well-defined term and it's interpretted differently by each paint manufacturer. I think that you will find that the semi-gloss black used for the trailing arms was a bit glossier than most of the other semi-gloss blacks used on a Corvette. It's semi-gloss, but it tends to the glossy side of the "gloss spectrum". The semi-gloss available under the OSH (Orchard Supply Hardware) brand is about right. Quanta's semi-gloss black is, too. Krylon 1613 has been a semi-flat black for quite a few years now. It's too flat.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 70 C3 control arm paint (brand suggestion)

Travis,

Actually, they're supposed to have the most gloss of anything on the chassis. Think a slightly dull gloss, or a shiny semi-gloss if that makes sense. I used Eastwood's Chassis Black on them, and I think it looks quite good.

Patrick

[Scott Marzahl]

Re: 70 C3 control arm paint (brand suggestion)

On my son's 'C3, I just finished using POR-15 Semi Gloss topped by POR 15 Chassis Black on the control and trailing arms and I think it looks just about right.

[Dennis D.]

Re: 70 C3 control arm paint (brand suggestion)

Flat, semi flat, semi gloss, gloss. The terms don't mean much.
Worked in a paint store in my younger days, and had a kid come in looking for paint his mother had sent him to get. Our first question was always, do you want flat?

The smart ass kid said , no I want the bumpy.......yuk,yuk

[Travis Williamson]

Re: 70 C3 control arm paint (brand suggestion)

Thanks for the info guys!

[Collin MacDonald]

Re: 70 C3 control arm paint (brand suggestion)

I have used the SAE brands of paint with great success. The primers and paints are excellent. I got a can of the LOW GLOSS BUMPER paint, and shot a test piece and it looks really good for the control arms. They also have the TRIM paint that is dead on for the satin type finish on interior and engine bay area.
Not only that its easy to spray with little to no dripping... just use the primer. Drys within 15 mins for the next coat application, and hardens withing 72 hours.
Good luck

[John H.]

I Think You Mean "SEM", Not "SAE" *NM*

[Collin MacDonald]

Re: I Think You Mean "SEM", Not "SAE"

Sometimes these old finger just don't work in synch with the brain..yes SAE..thanks John..

[John G.]

Re: I Think You Mean "SEM", Not "SAE"

Rustoleom #7798 has a bit more sheen than the Krylon #1613. For about 3 bucks you might give one a try.